In the days of dawn - not to be confused with Zinedine Zidane - France had a World Cup-winning football team that was respectful; it lost that this year. What the coach did after the France game with South Africa is beyond the pale...

And I have to say, Americans here in Hong Kong are assholes. They damn near smashed up the bar. Thank God for an experienced bar owner, who put temporary plywood tables up. The Brits here get excited but they only riot on home ground.

Now US and England both go through. It can only get crazier in the second round.

The thing is, the US dominated that game more than any other game I've seen this World Cup. They just couldn't convert when it really mattered. Until the end, which was just like all the other blown chances in the game, except that there was just one more rebound this time.

Perhaps now with two blown goal calls in as many games there will be a bit of a review with more on the line.

I doubt it! FIFA has shown itself to be completely oblivious to the fairness doctrine it preaches. While USA has shown itself completely capable of winning despite the fact of playing against both the opposing team and the FIFA referees!

Anyone notice that USA advanced on top of Group C without the apparent use of any forwards/strikers? We have evidently pioneered the use of Attacking Midfielders/Striking Mids!

Anyone notice that USA advanced on top of Group C without the apparent use of any forwards/strikers? We have evidently pioneered the use of Attacking Midfielders/Striking Mids!

Soccer has long been replete with attacking midfielders. The problem is that a lack of offence often leads to despair in soccer. I have no idea why teams even try to defend a one-goal lead, instead of going directly for the second. All hunkering down does is immediately hand the momentum to the opposing team.

You simply must have at least one striker/forward in soccer. The U.S. came within two minutes of injury time of learning that the hard way. I'm glad they advanced, but this 'no forwards' thing you speak of is insanity.

USA will win HANDS DOWN!!! Actually I'm rooting more for another country because Americans would stick it up in the worlds face if they won.

Having watched several games, I can honestly say the US are much weaker than most of the South American sides, especially both Argentina and Brazil. They may get past Ghana, but they will surely lose to Uruguay in the next round.

I do believe Argentina will go all the way this time.

Here is my prediction so far for the knockout round:

USA beats Ghana by one goal. (Lucky)
Germany beats England by two goals.
Uruguay beats South Korea by at least two goals.
Argentina beats Mexico by at least two goals.

I share your admiration of Argentina and Diego's players but I am also impressed with Portugal and Germany and their attacking-minded offense. That said, I support USA going all the way to the finals...

I share your admiration of Argentina and Diego's players but I am also impressed with Portugal and Germany and their attacking-minded offense. That said, I support USA going all the way to the finals...

I think USA going all the way would be great for American soccer.

Like many American kids, I played AYSO for 8 years, having played every position on the field. I played briefly in high school, but I was a skinny kid with relatively weak kicking legs, so never got any attention from coaches. And I broke my leg badly in my last AYSO Spring season, so that affected things as well.

But I never could understand why pro soccer hasn't taken off in the US. I find it a far better spectator sport than American Football, which I never developed a taste for.

I thought Beckham coming to LA would help, but it didn't.

But if the US wins the World Cup, things may get slightly better... slightly. And any improvement will be good.

I'm also an England supporter, just because. And I like Mexico's passing game, and would like to see them do well.

But I admire skillful play. Donovan doesn't come close to approaching Rooney or the South Americans. The Americans are good tactical players, but not very good individual players.

One thing you'll notice is frequent apparently un-targeted centering of the ball into a mixed group of players, hoping for the best outcome. The Americans do this again and again, which one could say is a good strategy, because you've got to get lucky sometimes, right? But other teams rarely leave things to chance in this way. They will find an open player before doing anything. And they have the individual ball-handling skill to be able to do that for far longer than the Americans can.

Regrettably this World Cup may be best remembered for its poor FIFA officiating and on-field theatrics...

The refereeing's the same standard as at the last few World Cups. The on-field theatrics are no more noticeable. Honestly, I remember more complaining about the referees at the last World Cup.

This World Cup's probably going to be remembered for the weird first round where the favourites all got scares and Italy and France went out, and for the vuvuzelas. Not for the refereeing. There've been mistakes, but not that many. Definitely nothing like Maradonna's handball in '86 or Klinsmann's diving in '90 yet.

Well that was a hell of a lot of nothing. Brazil did not look impressive without Kaka and Robinho. And this was the first match I saw Cristiano Ronaldo play in, and he was nothing special, though I can see why the ladies would support him.

Do or die for USA today vs. Ghana.... I am nervous... USA needs to score early and often then go into defensive posture against Ghana...Most everything in our town closed for match...everyone in front of television to watch our beloved USA Men's National Team...

I know what you mean. Despite it being Sunday and thus no-work day tomorrow, it will be hard for me to stay up until 430am tonight. And for you it's much worse. You should have slept and gotten up early for the match!

I thought the Americans deserved to win for effort and skill on that one. I think the Ghanan keeper was the star of the match. And I think Tim Howard cost the US that last goal by not coming forward to defend on that ball.